In this engineering challenge, student teams are introduced to the engineering design process, and then construct and test an earthquake-resistant structure. The lesson plan includes teacher support, student worksheets, multimedia assets, and links...(View More) for students to conduct Web-based investigations. Authentic assessments, a multiple choice test, and rubrics are included. This is an optional extension activity associated with the resource, Flight Mission Challenge: Improving Earthquake Monitoring, a 3 part, multiple-day Earth science and engineering investigation.(View Less)

Latitude and longitude impact climate. Students will learn this first hand by researching the climate for a specific 10° x 10° quadrant of the country. Students will download data sets on both temperature and precipitation for their quadrant and...(View More) will determine averages for each of those factors. Using that information, students will construct a climatogram (a climate diagram). After analyzing the climatogram, students will prepare a poster and give an oral presentation. The influence on their quadrant's climate of additional factors such as elevation, topography and solar intensity will also be considered. Note: This lesson involves several activities. Following the recommended sequence and timetable, the lesson could take six to ten 50-minute class periods. It is possible to reduce the time commitment by modifying the activities. This lesson uses student- and citizen science-friendly microsets of authentic NASA Earth system science data from the MY NASA DATA project. It also includes related links, extension, an online glossary, and a list of related AP Environmental Science topics.(View Less)